Fort Bliss soldier killed in Afghanistan 'was such a light in our lives'

FORT BLISS -- The Fort Bliss soldier who was killed over the weekend in Afghanistan by a bomb blast had a caring, loving heart and was full of energy, his mother said.

Spc. Kyle Stoeckli, 21, of Moseley, Va., was killed in Maiwand, Afghanistan on Saturday when his unit was attacked with a bomb.

"There is so much about Kyle," said his mother, Sonja Stoeckli. "He had great energy. Whenever he entered a room, he just lit it up. He was always protecting and serving people. He went beyond anything you asked him to do, whether it was at work, school or home.

"It was the same thing with the military," she continued. "He'd go beyond."

Her son joined the Army because he wanted to serve his country and "help out," Stoeckli said.

She described him as being full of "loving kindness."

"He was a very kindhearted person," she said. "He'd make friends wherever he went in a very short amount of time. Everybody loved him. He was such a light in our lives."

Spc. Stoeckli deployed to Afghanistan about 5å months ago with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, where he was an assistant gunner and vehicle commander. He is the ninth soldier from the 1st Brigade, nicknamed Ready First, to die in Afghanistan since May 4 in three bombing incidents.

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"The last month has been difficult for all of us, with the loss of nine soldiers from the Ready First," Fort Bliss spokesman Maj. Joe Buccino said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and families affected by this loss."

Stoeckli enlisted in the Army National Guard's Active First Program in September 2010 while he was still in high school.

He attended the 14-week Infantry One Station Unit Training Course at Fort Benning, Ga.

His first duty assignment was at Fort Bliss, where he arrived in August 2011. He was initially assigned to F Company, 51st Infantry, and then to C Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, both with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

At the time of his death, he was serving with the Third Platoon, Centurion Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

His medals and awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

He was born on March 18, 1992, in Richmond, Va., and graduated from Cosby High School in Midlothian, Va., in 2011.

He is survived by his parents, Sonja and Bruno Stoeckli, and his sister, Stephanie Stoeckli, 23.

"My heart goes out to them; I can't imagine the pain as a parent," said U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Texas, who just returned from a visit to Afghan istan.

A memorial ceremony for Stoeckli will be held at Forward Operating Base Azzizullah in southern Afghanistan.

A memorial will also be held at Fort Bliss at the 1st Armored Division Chapel at a time and date to be determined.

The family is also planning a memorial service in Virginia, but is not sure when it will be.

David Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com; 546-6126. Follow him on Twitter @dburge1962